liberal

I UK [ˈlɪb(ə)rəl] / US adjective **

1) accepting different opinions and ways of behaving and tending to be sympathetic to other people

Their views on marriage and divorce are very liberal.

a) believing in social or political change if most people want it

liberal politicians

b) used about societies, institutions etc that allow people a lot of personal freedom

We live in a liberal democracy.

The government has promised more liberal economic policies if it is elected.

2)

a) a liberal amount is large and generous

There was a liberal supply of food and wine.

b) generous with something

liberal with:

He was always quite liberal with his cash.

3) not strict or exact

I admitted to a rather liberal interpretation of the rules.

4) a liberal education involves learning about a wide variety of things

Derived word:
liberally
adverb
II UK [ˈlɪb(ə)rəl] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "liberal":
singular liberal plural liberals
*

a) someone who accepts many different opinions or ways of behaving and tends to be sympathetic to other people

b) someone who believes that social and political changes should be made gradually if most people want them